Former President George Bush and Portland-based bike fitting expert Michael Sylvester in 2008.(Photos courtesy Michael Sylvester)

On August 28th, 2008, local bicycle fitting expert Michael Sylvester got a call from Trek Bicycle Corporation president John Burke. Burke wanted to know if Sylvester was free to do a bike fit for former President of the United States George W. Bush.

Sylvester recently shared his story and photos from that memorable day.

Sylvester (L) and Pres. Bush on ‘the Oval’ loop on the White House grounds.

After getting through security guards that checked all his tools and even had bike-sniffing dogs, Sylvester recalled that Bush arrived, ” With a big hello and a warm welcome.”

After he made adjustments to the seat position and handlebar height on the bikes, Sylvester said that President Bush wanted to take a test ride to see how they’d feel.

“.. he looked over at me and said, “Politics Suck! They bring out the worst in everyone! I would just rather ride my bicycle”. I was shocked.”

“He was very excited to show me his route around the White House lawn, through the Rose Garden and weaving through trees on the grounds,” remembers Sylvester, “George seemed excited to show me his skills and that he was in pretty good condition for someone who runs the country.”

In even better shape were the gear-laden secret service agents that ran around trying to follow Sylvester and the president while wearing bullet proof vests and machine guns.

Throughout the experience, Sylvester was surprised by Bush’s candor.

“Twice while riding around ‘the Oval’ — a paved loop around the back of the White House grounds — he looked over at me and said, “Politics Suck! They bring out the worst in everyone! I would just rather ride my bicycle”. I was shocked.”

In the waning months of his administration, Sylvester says Bush spoke with nostalgia about leaving the White House and, “also of the difficulties of the political scene.”

Official Presidential Cycling Socks

After several hours of fitting and test rides, Sylvester suggested that President Bush could use some work on his body mechanics. Bush agreed and they made their way to the White House for a yoga session to, “help him with the areas of his body that if opened would help his cycling and overall perspective,” says Sylvester.

“He was very open to this [yoga] and talked about how his daughter was also a believer in Yoga and wanted to show me his Triangle pose… The President has his own yoga mat with the Presidential seal on it!”

The next day, Sylvester joined the President and some other riders for a jaunt on a series of interconnected trails in a forested area a few miles from the White House.

On that ride, Sylvester noticed that one of the secret service agents was carrying a large electronic device. He later learned it was known as the “football” — which allows the President to access weapon launch codes if there was an attack on the U.S. “I am told the football must stay within a certain distance of his body at all times.”

After riding the trails, Sylvester assessed the President’s prowess as “a really good rider — better than the average recreational rider.” (And that’s coming from someone who knows a thing or two about riding bikes.)

After his amazing three days with President Bush two years ago, Sylvester has told the story to many friends and clients. “I am struck by the response of people,” he says.

“Some were angry that I would help George Bush in any way. Some ask if I screwed up his bikes so he would get what he deserved. Some were very happy for me to have had the opportunity to work with the President.”

In the end, after spending about eight hours with President Bush, Sylvester is somewhat zen in his feelings about the experience.

“He shared his human side with me. I think that no one is all evil or all good. I think we are all a mixture of both good and bad. I do not ignore all of the difficultly George Bush has caused in the world. I am forever interested in people and how they think and move. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to meet the President and to begin to understand more of the picture surrounding the White House.”

And of course, Sylvester also chalked up the President’s demeanor to the power of bicycles: “To me it seems that under it all we are only human and we enjoy the movement of the bicycle and it seems to bring out a playfulness in us all.”

I’ve heard rumor that Bush kept funding going for a few bike programs that would have otherwise been cut. Dude found Jesus and bikes. I can just hear hime bombing some singletrack “he he he”. Great story, thanks for sharing that, always nice to see another side of someone so polarizing.

Not a comment on the story or Michael, but I have never found people who commit crimes against humanity endearing. There’s being over your head and then there is ordering or allowing torture, imprisonment without charge or trial, extraordinary rendition etc. The man, along with his cronies in torture, should have been put on trial, and if convicted, sent to prison. Hopefully we will find the political will in this country to make that happen before the statute of limitations runs out.

The former POTUS show’s us with his charming comment on politics , the true nature of his status as puppet. I am sure he would rather ride his bike all day.
It is hard for a child to take up the family business when one truly is not passionate about it.

It is great to see Michael’s abilities and knowledge recognized – this is a testament to the talent we have in this town.
I would add that Michael VOLUNTEERED to consult on the cockpit design on the latest Truck Trike. I really look forward to the opportunity to return the favor – perhaps designing and CNC machining a sweet part for one of his projects.

Okay, nobody should have to see that face on a Monday…or any other day, for that matter. Okay, fine, so he likes to bike. He was the worst president this country has ever had to endure, and I’d rather not have to see his squinched up little face ever again.

Great article. I think liberals have to see the good in Bush and the evil in all of us..

Democrats like Earl Blumenauer could have attempted to impeach Bush & Cheney, but the voters let them neglect that duty.

Earl is still in office doing the work of the 1% by passing free trade deals without apology. Earl supports the CRC. Earl does favors for the bike community, so he gets a free ride and no questions asked.

Bush was just a puppet. The republican party used him to install their own cabinet and set of advisors like Cheney and Rove.

I know this sounds crazy, but Shift 2 bikes should invite Bush and other Republicans for a pedalpalooza ride called “we’re in it together”.

Hey Ed G. I don’t know if you are paying a compliment or jab. If you or anyone would like to plan a red, blue and green ride for Pedalpalooza it would be fun, Democrats, Republicans, Greens and the goal to share a love of bikes, our human side and perhaps some mild debate.

What was going on in our country while w was spending the weekend cheerfully riding his bike around. Cheney was busy at work in his office working on his global destruction schemes.

How nice to know that w was an affable guy.

I heard this story from Mike and I’ve always envisioned him telling the story in one of those History Channel formats, you know sitting down in front of a blank wall very matter of a factly, “I was Hitler’s bike fitter.”

Yes, there’s good and evil in all of us, but most of us didn’t order military operations that killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people. My evil is maybe being a little impatient and rude sometimes. And then feeling bad about it. And I admit to gossiping too much. Yes, I have watched an episode of the Kardashians, that’s pretty evil by my standards, contributing to the downfall of our culture. I don’t destroy countries and send innocent people off to their own deaths and to kill countless others.

I’m not condemning Mike for doing his job. He worked for Trek and w was a client. But don’t apologize for w, saying he’s a nice guy and there’s good and bad in all of us. Hitler liked dogs and children.